Exodus: Journey Of Promise

Sunday December 17

We seek God for so many things…

• We seek the Heart of God…so that we can feel for those who are lost and hurting, so that we can remember and be moved to mission.

• We seek the Favor of God…at work, at school, so that we can be among the best to fulfill all that God has called us to fulfill.

• We seek the Mind of God…to gain His perspective, to catch His plans, to understand His blueprints, so that we can live our lives accordingly.

• We seek the Voice of God…for direction, guidance, and encouragement.

• We seek the Touch of God…when we need to be healed, loved, and comforted.

• We seek the Hand of God…for there we find the gifts we’ll need to perform our ministries.

• We seek the Power of God…to see Him do the impossible.

We seek God for good things and good reasons most of the time…but what about the Face of God? When was the last time we sought the Face of God…for NO other reason than to see the Face of God? It’s “easier” to seek the other “portions” of God…because we feel the needs, know the reasons, and can often see the results. But seeking the Face of God. The busier we get, the more responsibilities we have to juggle, the more reasons we have to seek…the more we might actually seek God!…but the less we actually seek His Face. Just His Face…just to be able to sit face to face, as a friend sits with a friend. Seeking the Face of God.

This marks the beginning of a new season…a season of seeking the Face of God.

God, show us your Face…

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2 Corinthians 4:8 (NIV)
“8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
“16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

• Spirit world is here and now!

James 1:2-4, 12 (NLT)

2Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. 12God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

• Perseverance
• Strength of Character
• Totality of who we are

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)

23Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

• Persevere/endure through trials God gives us, not what we put on ourselves

Exodus Fast Day 1
Prayer Meeting 9pm-10pm

FASTING - it’s our expression of our ‘hunger’ for God and how badly we need Him here at the exodus.  As we deny ourselves physical food, it’s our way of telling God that it’s more important that we have Him!…than anything else.  Also, as we exercise self-control in the self-denial of food; in parallel we have the opportunity to exercise self-control in other areas of our lives.  A change to refocus on spiritual disciplines that might have taken a back seat in the rush of life.  Finally, God is made perfect in our weaknesses.

PRAYER - remember, prayer is more than just an activity.  It’s also a posture and attitude towards God that expresses our dependency on Him.  In prayer we express our limitations in light of His all-powerful-ness.  We will no doubt be doing a lot of worship during our prayer meetings…when we get to retreat on Friday night we want to hit the ground running.  These three days of prayer will get our hearts in the right place and build unity in our church.

Jonathan & Emily Lee’s Ordination…

Congratulations!!! Thank you for being such great examples of the pursuit of Jesus and such open conduits of God’s love. We love you guys!!!

Get ready for another Big Bear Lake retreat!!!

Matthew 7:7-11 - Intentional vs Accidental Life
Let’s be Intentional in our Prayers
-What is the Spirit leading us to ask for?
-Let’s ask!!! Intercession

Nehemiah 4:16-18 - Readiness & Alert
Let’s be ready in Spirit
-What is God doing?
-What is the enemy doing?